Dealing with a job search during the pandemic
Ashwini Palekar
Knowledge & Communications Manager, BDO USA
As economies around the world contract at a record pace, mass lay-offs and job cuts have added to the bleak landscape of 2020. Most businesses began downsizing their workforce in April to deal with the mounting pressures of an uncertain environment. Over a million job cuts have been announced in the US since then and reports suggest that there could be a second wave of job cuts globally.
A lay-off is familiar territory for most of us — a generation that knows the cyclical boom and bust nature of business all too well. This time around though, we are also grappling with pandemic fatigue, civil unrest and an impending global recession.
While our experiences may differ widely and there is no universal how-to guide on dealing with a job cut, here are some lessons I have learned from my past journey on this rocky but nonetheless edifying road:
Don’t throw a pity party for one –
It is difficult to not see this as a personal failing, particularly if you were part of a large team or project. “Why me” is a maze you will find yourself in often, but try not to get lost there. The lay-off is not a reflection of your ability or talent but a business decision during a crisis.
Get off the express train –
This might seem counterproductive, but really, there are no rules that dictate that you must start your job search immediately. We are so busy doing the work that we forget to look at where our careers are headed. Use this time between jobs to figure out the market — what are your contemporaries doing? Where would you like to be in a few years and how can you get there? This is a great time to add a certification, online course or skill to your resume.
Expand your options –
When you begin looking for jobs, don’t limit yourself to similar positions, industries or roles. Employers today place more emphasis on potential than experience so diversify and search for skill adjacencies. If you have always wanted to be your own boss, take the plunge!
Compromise –
Let’s get real, it’s going to be tough securing a job during the pandemic. Not impossible but tough. A number of companies have announced a hiring freeze. When positions do open up, they are being filled internally to save on onboarding costs. Learn to be flexible. Take that short term gig or contract, compromise on the title or salary, or apply to the lesser known company.
Put the word out –
If you are carrying unnecessary baggage around your lay-off, drop it and read the first tip again. To increase your visibility in the market, don’t hesitate to use hashtags on social media, reach out to your connections and ask for help or request referrals from ex-colleagues and professional networks.
Detox –
There will be days when another minute on LinkedIn or Indeed will make you want to pull out your hair in frustration. Do a digital detox. Work on a creative project or do something just because it makes you happy. Come back when you feel re-energized.
Above all, remember a job is what you do, not who you are. Good luck!
Author Bio:
Ashwini is a communications executive with over a decade of experience in top management consulting firms. She is highly skilled at conceptualizing and executing content strategies and improving end-to-end content management capabilities for global organizations. She is an avid reader, amateur photographer and meticulously records her exploits on Instagram @capucciyes. She lives in the Midwest.
